Friday, August 24, 2012

Game 125: Nats at Phillies

PHILADELPHIA -- Hello from the City of Brotherly Love, which hasn't quite been the happiest place on earth this baseball season. Things have picked up somewhat for the Phillies, though: They've gone 21-17 since the All-Star break and have stormed their way into third place in the NL East. (Of course, the Nationals have gone 28-13 over the same span.)

This is probably the first time the Nationals have ever played here with more on the line than the home club. It's kind of a strange position, you have to admit. As you can tell by their lineup, the Phillies are still dealing with injuries and some other glaring holes. Don't take these guys too lightly, though: You've got to believe they're motivated to prevent the Nats from running away with this division.

Edwin Jackson gets the ball for the Nationals, coming off an 11-strikeout performance against the Mets that nonetheless resulted in a loss due to a lack of run support. He'll hope his teammates do a little more damage at the plate tonight against Kyle Kendrick.

Live updates and analysis from Citizens Bank Park to come, so please check back...

6:30 p.m. -- Late lineup change: Ian Desmond has been scratched, presumably something related to his hyperextended knee suffered in the eighth inning of Wednesday night's game. Steve Lombardozzi is now leading off at second base, with Danny Espinosa at shortstop and Jayson Werth now batting sixth.

7:08 p.m. -- And we're underway. Fewest number of fans I've ever seen in this ballpark.

7:20 p.m. -- Uh-oh, Michael Morse is down and in serious pain after taking a Kyle Kendrick fastball off his right hand. Trainer Mike McGowan came out to look at him, and pretty quickly Morse was on his way down the steps to the clubhouse, a look of disgust on his face. You never want to speculate too much before getting official word, but it wouldn't be surprising at all if Morse broke his hand right there. And that would not be a good development for the Nats.

7:38 p.m. -- Not a good first inning for Edwin Jackson. He gave up a single, walked a batter and gave up another single (this one by Chase Utley, scoring Jimmy Rollins). Jackson has had first-inning troubles often this season, and he appeared to be headed for really big trouble here. But to his credit, he struck out Ryan Howard and then got Domonic Brown to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning with the Phillies only leading 1-0.

7:59 p.m. -- Boy, Jackson is dancing with the devil tonight, but so far he's living to tell the story. After escaping the first inning with only one run crossing the plate, he escaped a second-inning jam that was created in part by his allowing a two-out double to the opposing pitcher. Rollins then smoked a line drive to second, but right at Lombardozzi, who snagged it for the final out. We're through two innings of a 1-0 game that really could be much more lopsided.

8:07 p.m. -- Here's the first official word on Michael Morse: According to the Nationals, he suffered a right hand contusion (bruise). No word yet on results of any X-rays, that probably won't come until after the game. So he's not out of the woods quite yet.

8:32 p.m. -- Meanwhile, in actual game news, the Nats have two hits off Kendrick in four innings (Harper's double and Jackson's single). Haven't put up much of a fight here so far.

8:47 p.m. -- Like I noted earlier, Jackson has been flirting with disaster all night. And it finally caught up to him in the bottom of the fourth when Rollins sent a two-run single to left, bringing home Mayberry and Nix (whose slide just beat Suzuki's tag by a gnat's eyelash. So now it's 3-0 Phillies through four as Jackson labors and Kendrick cruises along.

9:13 p.m. -- Do you think the Nats are missing Morse's presence in the lineup tonight? They had a man in scoring position and one out in the sixth after Harper recorded his second double of the night. With the cleanup man at the plate, you had to like their chances of scoring. Except Bernadina is the cleanup man now, and he struck out looking before LaRoche flew out to center. Still 3-0 Phillies as the Nats are unable to get anything going against Kendrick.

9:20 p.m. -- The Phillies have been pasting just about everything Jackson has thrown their way tonight, but he's somehow managed to complete six innings allowing only three runs. Props to the right-hander for battling his way through this game and giving his teammates a chance. The Nats still trail 3-0 as we move to the seventh.

9:37 p.m. -- Tyler Moore to the rescue! Comes off the bench to pinch-hit for Jackson with two outs in the seventh and sends an 0-1 fastball from Kendrick over the left-field fence. It's now 3-2 as the Phillies turn to their bullpen.

10:09 p.m. -- Great chance for the Nats to push across the tying run in the top of the eighth, with two on and one out. But LaRoche struck out on a breaking ball down and away from left-hander Raul Valdes, and then Werth was blown away by a 96 mph high fastball from right-hander B.J. Rosenberg. Now they're down to their last three outs, still trailing 3-2 in the middle of the eighth.

10:20 p.m. -- What's the last thing you want to do as a reliever entering the eighth inning with your team down one run? Walk the leadoff man. What's the second-to-last thing you want to do? Let that guy steal second base without even drawing a throw. Is it any surprise Michael Gonzalez's ragged start to the inning led to the Phillies scoring a big insurance run? The Nats now trail 4-2 and are down to their last three outs, with Jonathan Papelbon looming.

10:34 p.m. -- It's over. Papelbon closes it out for the Phillies, handing the Nats a 4-2 loss. Espinosa led off with a single but was inexplicably thrown out trying to steal second down two runs. Utterly pointless attempt on his part. Of greater concern is the state of Michael Morse's right hand. We should get an update from Davey Johnson shortly.

Back in spring training, if you had told Phillies fans that in late August they'd be in a virtual tie with the Marlins and Mets, and the Nationals would be nowhere in sight, they would've said you're right! LOL...

Off the subject - but I was just checking out the cub/rockies game and they were talking about the ped situation. Melky Cabrera could win the batting title. That's just wrong. Do any of you think a ped bust should disqualify you for an individual award? I do.That being said - I also will be hoping for a total silence of the bell tonight. It will be interesting to see ( hear) how Jayson is received. He just seems to be outright seething all the time right now. Go get 'em JayDub!

The Nationals still don't have a playoff caliber lineup. In a short playoff series they won't stand a chance. But....wait until next year when changes are made this off-season. An improved lineup, with the pitching they have, will be lights out.

Hmmmmm - Should be interesting.Sheets has not looked good recently. Big series starting tonight with the Reds and Cards,too. Hope they have extra security and medics standing by as these teams seem to end up in a MMA bout at some point.

So what is actually the status with DeRosa? - We see him in the dugout, we hear about what a great mentor he is, we hear nothing about his status. He is on the DL with dfa-itis? I think he is getting paid to be a mentor at this point and should be considered for a coaching job in the minors next year. We have not heard one thing about him going on a rehab assignment or returning to the line up ( oh, please, no). Minor leagues are winding down. But the rest of the bench? Bernie, Lombo, Tracy, Moore. Yikes - potential to hurt you in the late innings, 2 with speed, defense and contact, 2 with big hits. Not to mention JFlo in there. Right now I think Bryce Harper is the weakest link in the entire offense. What does that say?

Uh rabbit34 what changes? Sre you not following? The Nats aren't changing this lineup its one of the youngest and hughest ceiling in the NL and AL? Who would you replsce? Most all are young and developing? And Werth has a long term contract excluding trades. LaRoche will come back until Rendon is ready. They aren't going to replace Zimmerman, Espinosa, Desmond, or Harper. They get Ramos back but catching stays the same. Morse likely stays as well.

My dogs will get no cookies tonight with Ian out. But Lombo will get us some runs, I'm predicting, so it's a fair trade. (I forgot who rabbit was, guys, Sorry. I'll ignore him in the future).And welcome back to FP! I'll be glad to hear him announce the end of Kyle Kendrick's possible no-hitter. GYFNG!

So the Nats have the lineup they used during the last road trip, given the way they played, we shouldn't be that worried. It's nice to have an excellent bench as well, i see why Davey gives much importance to bench players.

Mick, Morse is one of my favourite players, but the HBP looked so bad i couldn't wind up thinking about that. Let's hope he'll be back in the lineup on Sunday, not only for the team but also for the Beast himself. Let's keep the Phills at 1, there's still a long way to go, and Werth is leading up in the top of the second.

I gotta disagree with you, MicheleS. I think there's as many people at this game tonight as there were for the Monday and Wednesday games of the Atlanta series here. About 30,000. They are quiet. I didn't think 30,000 Philly Phans could be this quiet.

257 consecutive sellouts...longest streak in National League history and we have people saying that 40,000+ looks empty??? They had 44,000 on Monday night and are 19.5 games back...we had 21,000. Need I say more.

So, if I'm reading the (somewhat conflicting) reports correctly, the Dodgers are about to execute a multi-player deal for -- at a minimum -- Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett. But for that to happen, the Dodgers will have to put any major leaguers (e.g., Ivan DeJesus, James Loney) through waivers. Do the Giants and/or the Nats claim DeJesus (or someone else) to muck up the deal?

I don't usually post during games but Sunshine Bob has driven me back to the radio once again. His homerun call on Mayberry that did not even get to the warning track was bad enough, but then saying there is still lots of time as we head into the 7th inning is just silly. They need 9 outs and Kendrick has been in command the entire game. What game is he watching?

Hoping Charlie & Dave will bring me/us luck. I will post again in the post game. Just hope the Legion of Doom doesn't rise up to the point of overpowering Swift, Michelle and others.

By the way, with all the small bones in the hand and what is probably obvious swelling, I am guessing they will wait and also probably have a hand expert look at Morse before releasing anything.Go Nats

hey coach... I have known Bobby over 30 years, and its just hard to believe how time has gone by so fast... you bet he is one hell of a coach, from Little Flower, Dematha, Whitman, Springbrook, Sherwood and GC!

There is so much to like here. Espinosa moves seamlessly over to short, Jackson not great but 3 runs in 6 innings is not horrible. We are into their bullpen and we will be in first place by at least 5.5 games no matter what happens. I need Dave & Charlie to keep this going for me.

Mick, I just can't take Carp and actually feel the same way about the guy for the Orioles - I think his name is Jim Hunter. They are just so over the top for the home team and I really don't think Sunshine Bob is all that knowledgeable. Too many cliches and very poor reads on most balls into the outfield. No problems with people enjoying his call of the game, its just not for me.

Charlie is just a good ole West Virginia boy! Not sure how many more seasons they will put up with him if they keep losing. He used 5 relievers yesterday so this will catch up to them soon unless his next two starters go deep. Mick, hard to believe but Charlie is younger then Miloy (and Davey).

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About the Author

Mark Zuckerman has covered the Nationals since the franchise arrived in D.C. He's been a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 2001 and is a Hall of Fame voter. Email mzuckerman@comcastsportsnet.com.